What’s next for Alex Smith? He’s been through everything, which might be a large part of his free-agent appeal

* OK, now that the 49er QB picture is clear, it’s time to slow things down a bit on the bloggery. I was due for a pause on production a little while ago, but I wanted to make sure the 49ers got their QB picked in public and, as you and Harbaugh know, it doesn’t count unless it’s on this blog. Wait, that’s probably not true, but oh well.

The usual football picks will pop up, then I’ll be at the Pac-12 title game on Friday and maybe there’ll be an item or two involving a Warriors game. (Unless I see them soon before next Monday, I’ll miss them before their upcoming 7-game trip, after I’ve missed the last few weeks, too; that would be too long between GSW appearances–almost as long as an indefinite-Bogut-recovery, and we know how long that can be. Actually, we don’t.)

Otherwise, after this item, things will be light for a few weeks, unless there’s more madness. Then I promise nothing.

-Alex Smith very well could be feeling like somebody in a black sweater and tan pants just ran him over with a bus. I don’t know if that’s how he feels, and I’m pretty sure he won’t say that’s how he feels, but it would be fair if he did feel that way.

Or if he admitted he felt that way. It would be natural.

Smith is having the best season of a career that has been building towards this point, only to have it swiped from him by Jim Harbaugh lifting Colin Kaepernick to the QB spot. Smith might understand the football part of it, but as Troy Aikman related and Harbaugh tellingly conceded, Smith has done nothing to lose this job except get hurt at the wrong time.

Of course, Smith probably won’t blast anybody. He’s too good of a teammate, too loyal a soldier, too nice of a guy, too smart to be blind to the angles that led to this. He knows that Kaepernick is an incredibly exciting player and Smith won’t want to put a stain on the start of Kaepernick’s starting career.

Smith surely won’t want to cause friction in the 49ers’ locker room–he won’t want to do anything that compromises or limits this team’s drive for a Super Bowl.

It’s just not in him to be a problem, which is one of the main reasons Mike Nolan drafted him No. 1 overall in 2005 and, as I’ve pointed out over the years, a trait that makes it easy for coaches and teammates to wonder if he has the innate fire for this position, ultimately.

Smith’s good-natured personality probably made it easier for Harbaugh to make this decision: This is one time a coach can pull a playoff-proven QB in his prime knowing that the playoff-proven QB probably isn’t going to go nuts in public.

Remember, this is either the fourth or fifth time Smith has been knocked out of the starting QB spot in his 49ers’ career–if anybody can deal with it and know what to do in the meetings and speaking to the media, it’s Smith.

However…

The other demotions came from Nolan and Mike Singletary, acting relatively randomly and usually amid utter bewilderment about the QB position specifically and the 49ers’ offense as a whole.

This demotion is by Harbaugh, a QB specialist who saved Smith’s career in 2011–who saw things in Smith that almost nobody else did–but now has his eyes fixed on a younger, stronger QB.

So this one has to sting Smith in a way that the previous bump-downs absolutely did not. He knows he might still be in any game at any time, if Kaepernick gets hurt or goes through a bad spell, but he knows that Harbaugh intends to move away from him, and that Harbaugh is not a dummy.

When Smith got hurt, Harbaugh instantly flipped a switched in his head and turned to the next guy–the guy he planned to play long-term all along.

(Although if you’re Kaepernick, you’ve learned something, too. In a few years, if there’s another younger QB performing well and catching Harbaugh’s eye in practice… watch out.)

So Smith will be classy about this, he will graciously help out Kaepenrick, he will be a team guy and heck, he might even keep his co-captaincy. Knowing Harbaugh and the 49ers locker room, I would bet that Smith does indeed remain one of the team captains for the rest of the season.

And after that? This is all headed to Smith being cut loose next spring–the 49ers have to pay Smith a $7.5M roster bonus in March or let him become a free agent.

If Kaepernick is half the QB he’s already shown, the 49ers almost certainly will be happy to move on from Smith and his money, because this salary structure is not set up to pay a back-up $7.5M.

Kaepernick is under contract for two more years at a low price, but presuming he’s good as he has looked so far, the 49ers will soon be looking to extend him for much larger money deep into the future, I would expect.

The next step… where could Smith go as a free agent? That’s not easy to tell now, without knowing how things will develop for QB-needy teams from now until the spring free-agent period.

Smith didn’t get much interest two years ago right after Harbaugh arrived (though Al Davis was a possible suitor, Smith decided early on that he wanted to sign-up with Harbaugh), and Smith only got a nibble from Miami last year (when the 49ers were courting Peyton Manning).

But at 28, after putting 1.5 very good years together, and completing 70% of his passes this year… and with the attention the 49ers have drawn for slighting him… I think Smith is in a very good spot heading into the off-season.

QB-deprived teams like Arizona, Kansas City, Cleveland and Jacksonville immediately come to mind. Again, we don’t know what their draft slot will look like, who’ll be available or, in many cases, who the coaches or GMs will be, and those are all important pieces to the QB puzzle.

Yes, put the Raiders in there, too, but I don’t know if Smith, at 28, is quite the QB of the future there.

And remember, Smith popping off now would not help his marketability much, I’d think. A controversial statement of two from Smith wouldn’t necessarily kill his value–a QB is supposed to be confident–but it would be out of character and part of what you’re buying with Smith is the good soldier who has been through so much.

You put him in any offense, any situation, good or horrible, and you know he’s pretty much already been through a similar situation during his 49ers tenure.

I mean, there can’t be any other available QB under 30 who can say he has operated under…

That’s a lot of offensive knowledge, good and bad, all very useful. I’ve joked with him before and it remains true: If this QB thing fails, Smith will be a helluva NFL OC candidate… or realistically, an incredible resource as a veteran back-up… maybe in a few years.

I’d also keep special focus on former 49ers GM Scot McCloughan, always a big Smith booster (even during the bad times). McCloughan’s with Seattle right now, but if he ends up with a bigger role on another team, he might have thoughts about bringing Smith along.

Smith took great pride in being the only No. 1 overall QB to make it through so much turbulence to succeed with the team that originally drafted him, many years later. He might still do it, if things don’t work for Kaepernick.

But realistically, Smith still has all this experience, and now 1.5 years of very good QB play, and he’s still not 30. He has a good career to play out, it just almost certainly will be for another team.

Tim Kawakami

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Good points. Question: Is there no way to try to trade him before that roster bonus kicks in in March instead of cutting him loose as a free agent? It would be great to get something for him (3rd rounder?), if possible. Also, it would be nice if the Niners had some control in where he lands. Given how much he understands the SF playbook, personnel, and philosophy, I’m not totally sure I want him to land in Arizona, where he’d be a great intelligence asset if nothing else. He could download all his knowledge of the Niners offense and give them a rival division team a nice assist. I’d much rather ship him off to Kansas City and keep his expertise on the Niners locked away in the AFC.

Dish

Well Tim, Experience is one thing, but effectiveness is another. Is it safe to say that he was effective only in Harbaugh and Norv Turner Offense…although we all know they had pretty crappy teams all along. I wish best of luck for Alex. I fear, though, the peak of Alex’s career was the last 1.5 years. He’s going to sign with some team with current need of a QB with a lack-luster OLine. If he’s 30th in sack with this awesome OLine, how would he look with a normal OLine and not protected by a strong running game? Hopefully he’ll perform well in the AFC West or some other conference. I’m sure he wouldn’t want to face the niner D by joining Arizona.

Niners Team of the 80’s

Your point about potential organizations and coaches are so very true – I see Alex’s results under Harbaugh as a bit of a mirage because if he moves to another team that lacks outstanding schemes, O-line, run game, and smothering defense he’s toast. He is not dynamic enough, be it his arm or legs, to salvage those challenging offensive situations (e.g. 3rd and long) that bad teams face more often than not. See Steve Bono and Elvis Grbac as past examples.

Danfeedler

There will be little to no trade value, teams will maybe offer a 7th for him. This isn’t because Alex is a bad qb, it’s because teams know that the Niners will have to cut him if they can’t pull off a trade. Alex will take his experience elsewhere and I hope he does well (as long as he isn’t playing the Niners). Dude is a class act and has been the whipping boy for a franchise that was in shambles when he got there. For real Arnaz Battle as a#1 wr? O line that couldn’t hold off a SEC team and a bad defense is what he had to work with for years. he went through growing pains with this squad, that’s why the player that have been here have so much love for him, they realize it was all his fault. I’ll be rooting for Kaep but in my mind it’s a bust if we don’t get to the NFC championship game. I’m not even saying Alex would have got us there this year, but the rest of the NFL will point to the fact he did last year.

GO NINERS!!!

KauaiRobert

blueintheface:
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Why would any team trade for him if they’re certain he’ll be released?
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They could just wait until he’s released and then offer him the best contract.
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*ALOHA*

blueintheface

Guess that’s the case, unless, dunno, the Niners convincingly sold the idea they might not release him (highly unlikely, I realize), or maybe some team didn’t want to risk losing a bidding war in the open market, so was willing to shoot us a mid-round pick. I suppose Alex will just be a free-agent. Regardless, I hope he doesn’t take his talents to AZ. Not an ideal situation for us.

To Blue

Blue, the 49ers won’t be able to trade Alex Smith because his roster bonus becomes due 2 weeks before trades are allowed.

DirkSuave

Let’s be quite real here. There are no ready made situations like the Niners for Alex to go to. TK really thinks Alex will get looks? Come on. No one was knocking down his door two years ago. And Alex going down to Miami wasn’t about the dolphins wanting Smith. Smith asked them to come down not the other way around. That was two years ago and plenty of young QB’s have come in and taken any spot he’d thought he’d have. Right now he’s like a Kitna. It’s backup ville. Sorry to slam reality down but the teams with a good WR corp, running game, good/great Oline and a great D have a QB already. Without JHar ASmith would have been washed out of the league. To put it better? JHar could’ve made Jamarcus an average/good QB. Alex has too much baggage that holds back his play for any team to really wanna take a shot on him. KC? Yeah Crennel if still there would take no fliers on Alex. The Raiders? Don’t be stupid TK. That was a far reach. Real far. Arizona? Does anyone think that Larry Fitzgerald wants Alex as his QB? Seriously? Cleveland? Weeden looks better and better even though that team is far from complete. Jacksonville? Really? No way they drop Gabbert so quickly. Tebow would be the Jaguars QB before Alex. Lastly how many HC’s could maximize the talents that Alex has left?? Anybody? The ones that could already have long term QB’s. this article is a lot of fluff. Alex wouldn’t start for any other team in the league. He may be top 5 in completion % and QBRating but his team ranks are at the bottom.

Just admit it. Alex was a bust as #1 overall pick and the only reason he’s not linked to JRussell as worst ever?? He was blessed to be coached by JHar for 1.5 years. Like I said put JRuss in scarlet n gold? He would looked just like Alex. Alex should be thankful that JHar made him appear better than average. That JHar continues to try to talk Alex into a job elsewhere with his “two starters BS.” He should thank JHar for getting him outta complete bustville in only 1.5 seasons.

WTF

“Regardless, I hope he doesn’t take his talents to AZ. Not an ideal situation for us.”

If he did go to AZ, with their offensive line problems, the 49ers defense
would be setting sack records, since they know he can’t throw deep and
he does not evade the pass rush well.

That Man

It seems crazy to me that the 49ers would just release him. (Thinking like a basketball GM) Alex Smith is an asset. An asset that a lot of other teams would like, especially at his current salary (20th highest paid QB). Why would the 49ers just give that away? The Raiders are just waiting to get fleeced for a high draft pick.

Seattle Niner

Alex could easily be the next QB for Dallas. I see Jones tiring of the Romo-coaster ride, and he isn’t the type to sit still and develop a young QB in the starting lineup. Alex be an immediate upgrade while they work with a younger guy.

Alex may wind up being the current version of Steve DeBerg – good enough to always find a job, nearly always be the starter, but just as often being looked past to the Next Great Thing.

Someone should interview DeBerg and get his recollections as far as how BW handled the situation back in ’79 or ’80 – whenever it became obvious that BW was grooming Montana.

Jack

DirkSuave, more like DickSlob. What a tool. Alex Smith is fine athlete and a million times the person you are.

j-walk

@KauaiRobert

Because if they acquire him they will have him for two more years under very favorable conditions. Non guaranteed 8 mil per year. They will not have to compete with another team to sign him which will drive up the price. In the end it’s all about guaranteed money. If Smith gets to the open market he will definitely get more guaranteed money than the 0 he would get if traded. Smith’s contract is prime for trading. If I was a GM of a team interested in Smith I would be on the phone right now trying to secure him at his current cost. I would have the rest of this year and next year to evaluate. Hell, I could continue to evaluate into the year after that before actually having to talk extension.

j-walk

oops, can’t trade him because trade deadline over. I thought it was December 1st rather that November 1st.

j-walk

Is it possible to work out a trade with a team, pay him the roster bonus in March then trade him two week later?

Jeff

@Jack

Way to stay classy there. I agree with everything Suave said and your love for Alex makes ou blind to the facts.

yes sir

Lets look across the league. I see very few scenarios in which Alex would ever be a starter again in the league. His best case is to be a stopgap for a bad team until they find a real solution for the position.

AFC West: Denver, San Diego, Oakland, Kansas City. No, No, Doubtful, Possible, but again nobody in KC would be excited to have Alex as their QB.

So the only even remotely possible places Alex would start next year are: Jacksonville, Kansas City, Arizona, and Philly. Alex would get pulverizied in Oakland, and I just don’t think McKenzie is going to be looking for a stopgap at quarterback, esp. considering what they are gonna have to pay Palmer. Alex will be a losing quarterback in all 4 of those cities and all 4 will have coaching changes. What new coach is going to want to hitch his star to Alex Smith as his starting quarterback. I can answer that for you: Nobody.

yes sir

@Jwalk, why would the 49ers work out a trade but pay the roster bonus themselves?

Do you feel the 49ers are a nonprofit organization? Are they a charitable foundation?

yes sir

@Seattle Niner,

Not a single GM in the NFL would choose Alex Smith over Tony Romo.

Not one.

Romo has his problems but his issues are mostly about reigning him in. With Alex there is nothing to reign in because he simply doesn’t throw the ball, ever, more than 10 yards in the air (31st in the NFL in attempts beyond 10 yards).

Kommon Senze

I would not be surprised to see Smith go on to have success at a second stop. One of the common parallels drawn with Smith is with DeBerg, who had success under Walsh, but was a seat-warmer for Walsh’s handpicked Montana. DeBerg didn’t have immediate success in Denver, where he was eventually replaced by Elway, but he did have a bit of success in Tampa Bay, before he was replaced by Steve Young, and had a lot more success in Kansas City (11-5 and 10-5 in two consecutive years), before he was again replaced by Joe Montana.

Jim Plunkett has been a point of comparison given his standing as a former #1 pick who struggled on bad teams, but finally found success with the Raiders. Plunkett wasn’t as physically gifted as some of the QBs he competed against, but he had moxie that earned him Al Davis’ trust.

The game is very different from when either of those guys were playing, but I think a smart team that has a good run game and a WC offense could find Smith to be a solid caretaker.

Fire Bob Fitzgerald

Smith is destined for what he should always have been in the league – absent the 49ers horrible decision to draft him over AR – a fairly well compensated back up on a contending team.

marko

Anybody want to bet against Alex wearing a star on his helmet next year?

Or maybe he’ll be handing-off to Adtian Peterson…

runbei

Fine article. Frankly, I would love to see Smith sign with another team and come back and absolutely bury the 49ers.

jsl

Alex certainly has trade value — if one presumes that several teams are gonna be interested in him. And that’s a pretty safe assumption. Plus, for a top-ranked QB — which he’s been for a year and a half — he’s very, very cheap at the current price.

We’ll see. But I’d bet he brings value in return.

Mr. Smith

Kap will struggle through a stretch, Alex will replace him and lead the 49ers to a SuperBowl. This is written(see Barry Zito).

sincewilt

I hate this situation and feel AS would have own the super bowl and KP won’t for his errors. We have, really, one good half of his play, against a defense that expected runs. That’s all. For As, however, I think he is much better off physically (for the rest of his life) if he doesn’t play until next year, wherever he goes. The concussion stuff is a real nightmare.

yes sir

Alex has no trade value. Not a single team wanted him this offseason. Alex was an unrestricted free agent and not a single team made him an offer, even when the Niners were trying to get Peyton Manning.

DirkSuave

Yeah JJones would really love ASmith not throwing deep balls to his WR’s… Get real. If I had to choose one spot he may end up? Arizona. And not to be the starter. Don’t go all crazy. Wisenhunt would wanna sign him and talk Niners all day while on the bench. Jacksonville is a no. It’s still too early to judge Gabbert. ASmith doesn’t help em. Oakland? Absolutely not. They’d rather resign CP3 for 8 years than sign Alex. KC? I just don’t see Alex able to be an upgrade over Cassell and Quinn. Trade value is nonexistent for Alex. They’d be lucky to get a team to bite for a 7th rounder. Why trade when if anyone wants (which I still highly doubt) Alex gets cut and will get no more than the Vet minimum… No GM in the league is gonna take on 7-8 mil for a guy who won’t start and they could acquire at a fraction of the cost. Just enjoy the emergence of CK7. Don’t fret about where Alex is gonna be. Why bother? He’ll be gone and the Niners will continue to be Super Bowl contenders for years to come. Use Alex’s money to continue resigning the D players needed to stay elite.

HB

Just wait until Kap faces a tough defense that plays zone before we anoint him better than Alex Smith. If he craps the bed, harbaugh will have f-ed up

Alex – You never know what is going to happen. I know that the hotshot will get shaken up sometime in the late season… You are going to have to swallow the pill and wait until harbaugh’s gamble goes bust. Come playoffs and he won’t dare to waste another opportunity. He probably will play you and you will have an open playoff to win. Don’t be diplomatic anymore, these scumbags don’t deserve it, they are nothing but slimy rats falling for the best eye candy. You have shown you are a true man, unlike these weasels, and if you don’t play anymore this year leave the team and try to take people away with you, like frank, Vernon, staley, the real backbone of this team of lame mercenaries. You are not alone Alex, a lot of people are watching, make sure gore and all of those raised the team with you know how you feel.

MK

Alex’s $$$ is now in Bowman’s pocket. Alex lands in KC, Philly or Minnesota (Ponder is failing).

LS

Expect Alex to either go to a team that is building, regardless of their current record, that has a solid coach and system, and a great receiver … like Arizona. Or go to a really good team that needs a really good backup QB … like the NY Giants. One day he’ll show up in the new stadium, and kick Harbaugh and Kaep’s butts!

Niner Noe

I never thought Alex was the long term answer, but he sure was resilient. I wish him well wherever he lands in the off season.

Niners in 2012

There’s gonna be 7 or 8 in the box at all times, teams are too scared of Kaepernicks running ability. He’s ready to bust a 50+ yarder any time now.

Twinkie defense

Alex Smith is not going to be in demand. Teams that need QBs are going to be bad teams, and Alex sucks on bad teams. He was demoted by Mike Martz, a guy who turned a grocery bagger into a HOFer. He was beat out by perennial backup Shaun Hill. And also beat out by some other guys who could barely stick in the League.

Alex has a good record because he has a dominant D, solid running game, and good coaches. He completes a high perentage because he throws it 5 yards, and that’s only if there’s no defender anywhere near.

His own coach has never even been sold on him, signing him as a stopgap, a safety net, then drafting Kaepernick and pursuing Peyton Manning.

Nobody wanted to sign Alex as a free agent two seasons ago, and barely even the Niners wanted him. No team with a stellar D and a good running game is going to want Alex as more than a backup, they will draft a guy high on put them back there, where it’s safe.

o.g.

I think Smith suffocated this franchise for so many years and not the coaches. Just like Manning made a bad coach look like a genius his last year before going out for a year for neck surgery. Smith has been a coach killer, and needs the PERFECT circumstances (ferocious D, Solid ST, best coaches in NFL, one of the best O-lines in the NFL, one of the best TEs in the NFL, great WRs, run first offensive game planning that makes completing passes easier, etc) to play above average.

I will never forgive him for the ineptitude he brought to SF for so many years. Wasn’t his rookie campaign a gigantic red flag? Blaine Gabbert, who had a terrible rookie campaign, ran circles around Smith’s rookie year. Look at how other #1 pick QBs not named Jamarcus Russell play and look at Smith’s career.

He’s been holding us back, I’m ready for Kaep. Kaep is just getting started.

That Man

Yessir- You went through the league, but just dismissed a that will need help at the QB position. It’s a lot of teams. Especially since there are no sure fire QB prospects this year. it is one the worst crop of College QB’s in years. Go read Kiper or any of the other scouts. There is no RG3 or Luck this year.

NFC East-Philly is 100% getting rid of Vick this offseason. You think Foles is ready? Philly is a perfect place for him. If the Cowboys only win 6 games (possible, check the schedule), head will roll.

NFC North and South-No

NFC West. Rams and Cards? definite possibilities. Especially the Cards. They have a legit defense (picked off Matt Ryan 5 times, daryl washington is top 3 ILB in the league), and they have skill players to win now (Fitz). And they just watched Alex Smith light them up a few weeks ago. Their O-line is disastrous, and their first round pick will reflect that.

AFC East-Buffalo probably lets go of Fitzpatrick because of a $5 million roster bonus (and he sucks), and the Jets, oh man, they are a train wreck. Both possibilities.

AFC North. Browns. They have a new owner, will be picking a new GM, and are not attached to Weeden. Also, Weeden IS THE SAME AGE AS ALEX SMITH. He doesn’t have promise. His ceiling is lower than Alex Smith’s floor at this point.

AFC South. Tenn and Jacksonville. Both terrible teams with major QB issues. Bud Adams has let it be known major change is coming this offseason. Jake Locker has shown he can’t stay on the field, and A. Smith is much better than hasselbeck right now.
The Jags have a new mustachio’d owner who didn’t draft Gabbert (who stinks!)

AFC West-Chargers stink. Raiders Stink. Chiefs Stink.
Chargers and Raiders have a lot invested in their current QB’s, and might not want to make a change. But the Raiders have a new gm and coach who aren’t really attached to Palmer, and the Chargers will probably have new ones as well after this disastrous season. Chiefs are a disaster who are looking for new everything. They also have a pretty good o-line, which would make Alex Smith a better QB (admittedly shaky when pressured constantly, like every QB)

There is too much need for solid QB’s in this league to simply dismiss his trade value. There wasn’t much interest in Alex last season because it seemed like 2011 was just a blip on the radar of a bad career. But he has gotten better this year, and has played like a top 10 QB. That consistency has increased his value.
Use any statistic.
He has 5th highest QB rating, 4th highest YPA, highest completion %, 3rd fewest interceptions among starters (Brady, RG3, Rothlesberger), 7th in ESPN’s QBR, 12th in Football Outsiders rankings, etc etc.
Kaep is better, but that is because he has played like a top 5 QB since coming in. That doesn’t mean Alex smith sucks. There is a reason this was a “controversy”, Alex Smith has played extremely well this year. He is a starter in the NFL.

SFFranciscan

Smith will probably go with Roman, assuming the 49ers win this year, and that would be a good choice…he needs a familiar coach to avoid the fiascos of the past.

But to assume Kaepernick will be a star? The kid’s played two games.

If Harbaugh is wrong, those heart problems will be the least of his worries. Justin Smith and Frank Gore, ticked, would worry me much more than a racing heartbeat….

I could easily see San Diego cleaning house, firing Norm and possibly trading Rivers. If that happens, look for Smith’s name to come up around San Diego, especially if Reid coaches there. Smith knows the WCO and Rives does not. And, if Rivers stays, and Smith cannot find a starting gig, back-up in the 619 might be his best destination.

SFFranciscan

I’m amazed how many people doubt that Smith will or can start somewhere else next year…he’s the 3rd rated passer in the entire NFL, and he was close to that level last year, and led his team to the conference championship game, for godsake! Alex Smith could start for at least 20 teams in this league. Seattle, Arizona, Oakland, San Diego (Rivers is gone after another interception-fest this year) come to mind…but that’s only the west coast!

And I doubt the 49ers will get anything for him. Why would the kid give them that “help” or satisfaction after this shabby treatment? He’ll demand his release and they won’t want to pay all those millions in bonus money. The irony is they wrote the contract and now they get nothing for a “Top-5” (as so many are calling Kaepernick) QB.

Harbaugh burned every bridge in the last two weeks with his gobble gobble jive turkey routine.

I’ll say it again, he better be right or this blows up in his face big-time. It will be fascinating to see how the fans react if Kaepernick tanks in the playoffs. Then again, maybe he’ll be the second coming of Tom Brady: it’s happened once that I can think of when a second-year QB led a Super Bowl contender to the Super Bowl, and that’s Brady. This league is almost 100 years old.

Good luck with those odds, coach.

DirkSuave

Will you people just shut up about Alex being “in demand”. It’s so ridiculous and asinine. The Vikings? I’m sorry but Ponders best game was totally dismantling the Niners D early just this year. Nobody remembers that. Ponder diced this D up. Alex ain’t doin that. Even with his knowledge of it.
Tennessee? They just drafted Locker who got hurt and No Alex is not better than Hasslebeck now or ever. Sorry.
Jacksonville? They really eat Gabberts contract after just two years and myriad team injuries? Stop smoking before you post please.
Oakland and San Diego? Ok you talking bout replacing two EX ALL PRO’s with Alex Smith? Come on man stop smoking the rocks. Sapping your brain cells. There are no starting spots for Alex next year. The QB class may be weak but there are still 2-3 that teams will pick n play before signing Alex. Sorry. Cleveland? Sweden has shown more with less than Alex ever did.
Philly? Your stupid right? They just resigned DJackson to a big deal a year ago. They really would want Alex as QB? He doesn’t throw deep. Why would Philly waste DJackson? Oh lemme guess they’ll trade Desean so they can build a team around Alex, right? Stupid. There are really only two spots Alex can go and it’s only because of his knowledge of the Niners D. That’s St. Louis to back up Bradford or Arizona to back up Skelton or Kolb. Stop all the stupid conjecture. Oh he could go here, there. No he can’t and no Alex won’t. Alex has done nothing to lose his starting job. Yet he didn’t do anything to keep it as well. He won’t see the field again in Scarlet n Gold barring injury. Ck7 is the now and the future. Just start to accept it. Accept that Alex was a bust as #1 overall and without JHar he wouldn’t even be in the league today. Maybe when he first was drafted he coulda been a great or elite QB. That faded after 6 horrible years with the Niners at thier worst. He’s damaged goods that JHar had to mold into barely “serviceable”. He should feel blessed that JHar is trying to help him get a job next year elsewhere. I love Alex. “I haven’t done anything to lose my starter spot. I’m playing at a high level.” Sorry Alex no your not. It’s a sham and your stats say so. Last in the league for plays over 10yards? Yep. First in passing comp % and QBRating. Unfortunatley as a team the Niners offense ranks dead last or near the bottom on almost all stats where the QB is involved. Yeah that’s a high level Alex. Not. Get real. Lets play a game. Pick a QB, who’s a starter, and insert him in for Alex. Do the Niners stay the same get better or get worse? Take a good hard realistic look. Tons of QB’s would’ve been upgrades over Alex. Even a few backups would’ve been. He’s just not a very good QB now. JHar saved his career from bustville and helped him get at least a backup spot holding a clip board. If he’s lucky. Honestly get ready to see Alex on ESPN as a analyst.

Mo P

Smith was given 7-8 years to prove himself, and in just two games Kaep has equaled what Smith has done over his career if not upgraded upon that.

Kaep is the better player, and that’s why Harbaugh went with Kaep.

Maybe Smith will realize that he lost his job b/c most of his passes do not travel more than 10 yards in the air.

jpschewey

Yes Sir

You are right on the money. The pool of teams potentially interested in Smith is pretty small. If his stay in SF is indeed over, I wish Alex well. He is a good guy, tough, intelligent, etc.

For those who think Alex will get a lot of interest ask yourself this question:

Of the teams that need a QB right now, can you see Alex coming anywhere close to the statistical rankings that he has in 2012?

Impossible, because the perfect fit for Smith (or any other QB with average skills) is a team built like the current Niners. I disagree that Jamarcus could succeed here, but many other journeyman QB’s could function and flourish under Harbaugh. The past six years have shown what Smith can do on a bad team. All of the teams in need of a QB are currently bad teams. Good luck if you think Alex will be a savior.

I don’t think the Niners will win the SB this year–regardless of who starts at QB. Three weeks ago Kap was never even on my mind, but based on what I’ve seen so far I’m pretty intrigued. I trust that Harbaugh has/will do what he thinks is best and that’s good enough for me.

orangeandblack

“You put him in any offense, any situation, good or horrible, and you know he’s pretty much already been through a similar situation during his 49ers tenure.” Where would Kappie be if he had to spend the first few years of his career with a different offensive coordinator and scheme every year, running for his life becuase of the lousy O-line? Possibly not much better than Smith, and probably worse. That being said, Kappie has Harbaugh ogling him like a virgin in the cathouse, and has had the benefit of actually learning from Smith. So he gets his starts and long may he run. As for Smith, he will find a team, and I hope it’s a good one for a good contract. He deserves no less.

Ron

The Chargers are a decent team with a terrible coach. Whoever replaces Norvell also may want to jetison Rivers who’s arm strength is wanning and has the mobility of a statue. If they were to hire David Shaw, Smith would fit right in with their offense.

SFFranciscan

@DirkSuave

Seriously, find another game–you don’t know this one.

All the stats and the playoff win means nothing, I guess? All how is Philip Rivers doing these last few years? The kid in Seattle–a star for you? Arizona?

Get a clue, pal. Smith will be wanted, and if you put him with Larry Fitzgerald, with Greg Roman calling the plays (that’s the latest rumor out of Phoenix, supposedly), I like Smith’s chances.

So let’s sit back and watch Kaepernick; he’s under enormous pressure, obviously. Harbaugh has made a gamble on a kid with two starts under his belt and there is no going back.

Mark M

He’ll wash out of the league within two years. No contender is going to want to draft or trade for a game manager. These type of QBs are always just a stop gap, like what he’s been here. He may land a gig with a bad team for a while but I think we all know how that will play out. Two years, max! Just get him out of our uni once and for all please.

SFFranciscan

“These types of quarterbacks”…unbelievable…so do these types of quarterbacks usually outduel the reigning MVP in one of the greatest playoff shoot-outs in NFL history (and remember that Drew Brees was run out of San Diego as a bust, “one of these types of quarterbacks”, for the young, strong-armed hotshot (sound familiar) Philip Rivers. Everyone, everyone thought it was a great move…Rivers was the gunslinger, the future. And if you saw how badly San Diego screwed up Brees, just trashed him and in the media and ridiculed him until his confidence was shot (and he’d had no success to match Alex Smith’s these last two seasons), the similarities are striking.

Here’s hoping Smith gets out of this front-runner town, preferably with Greg Roman, and makes the 49ers look very bad. Karma’s a bitch sometimes. Ask the Chargers.

DirkSuave

Stop the crack smoking SFF. That’s all I can say. Has Rivers been bad or the team around not what it used to be? Answer that kiddo? The Chargers don’t have the good D they had years ago. The Oline is in shambles. And Smith goes there? Crack smoker. Rivers is twice the QB Alex is even today. Your so smart how’s about this one. With Rivers at QB how would the Niners have done last year? As good or better than Smith. Period. When Rivers had a complete team around him they were dominate for more than 1.5 years.
Since I can already tell your a young QB hater. Seattle? RWilson looks light years better than Smith. And they are far from complete.
I don’t know the sport? Get real and grab a clue. Arizona? I told ya already it won’t be for Alex to start it’ll be so KenW can glean info from him bout those Niners. That would be worth the Vet minimum for any team in the Niners division. Even if Turner gets fired in SD what coach in his right mind is gonna wanna bring Smith with him?
Your comments are a joke. Stop posting SFF. Everyone at my job is wondering why I’m laughing so hard. Then I showed em your post/response. Hilarious indeed.
Smith would not be winning games without the Njners possessing a D playing at a high level. If he could then he mighta saved Nolan or Sing’ HC job. He couldn’t and didn’t. Smith is smart no doubt but he was a product of the Meyer spread outta college. Took 6 years of abuse and played bad football. Now he has “moderate” success with JHar and all the sudden Smith could “start” for a number of NFL teams? Place the crack down and go to rehab. No coach is gonna bring in Smith as “his guy”. Lets not forget he was just JHar’s “My guy” and now he’s not. Smith couldn’t help two HC’s keep thier job so you think a new or rehash coach is gonna hook his wagon up to Smith? Your pulling my leg right? Your just messing with me right? You were the one who said I don’t know the sport.

SFFranciscan

Look, kid. Don’t listen to me, listen to Steve Young, Troy Aikman, Kurt Warner, Warren Moon, Trent Dilfer, Dan Marino, Boomer Esiason…all of them think this is a crazy gamble at this point in the season.

There’s no point in arguing. Either Kaepernick wins and Harbaugh looks like a genius, or he flops, and all they will have blown a chance and a season (1987 and 1992 are examples).

The kid has his shot. But if Drew Brees was considered a bust and run out of San Diego (“too small, average arm, can’t make the big play”) for Philip Rivers, what makes you think this won’t be the same sort of gamble?